I've been trying to find a definitive photo to help me answer this question as the title would suggest, but it would appear after reading a nice account from somebody who finessed the hardest element involved with clones of this build (namely, the carry handle-mounted front peep sight), I am trying to finish my upper with as closest or most correct of a flash hider option as I can find.

Unfortunately, beyond some photos showing an elongated & spoked tri-prong flash hider, I can't find anything else that would be contraindicative to this for mounting in a clone of a LaFrance M16K variant. Thoughts, suggestions, pointers anybody?

the flash hider is actually a four prong and I believe it was the straight tine 'vortex' MK1 before they did their MK2 twist version.
JT at Retroarms made one for himself, he may be able to help you with your project?

The original was the "Vortec" 4 prong straight tine that preceeded the Smith Vortex.

Uppers should be easy soon. Mayhem Machine did a batch for Onyx Armsrecently. They're sold out but they'll be doing more and, I believe, be selling direct too.

I used one of their Nuke uppers on my 635 build. I'll be getting an M16K when they're out again.

This is what I used…

Young MFG 4-prong

That's really cool; those uppers seem to have the carry handle attachment hole drilled, do you know if they would still fit something like a 3-4x20 retro-style scope?

Lemme se if I can find out.

Okay, after some pestering, the answer on the Colt scope is, probably but it would need checked for sure.

An encouraging sign though is that an Armson OEG does work on a K as seen HERE from an archived thread.

Here's my go at this. Small change in the buttstock set-up, as I had a cut N1 stock that I picked up on the EE years ago and thought it was a good fit for the "K" format. Still need to add LaFrance Markings to right side of receiver and then wither re-anodize or, more correctly, coat it all in solid film lubricant...





Mayhem Machine Upper from Onyx Arms
SBR'd A1 Lower
3D-Printed Metal HG Cap
Cut Surplus HGs
Cut Colt N1 Stock
LWRC Ultra Compact RE and Buffer
Pigtail Pistol Gas System with shaved down LPGB
Young Mfg 4-prong FH

This is the absolute closest thing available and what I'm using for mine.

Did you get your HG cap from the guy selling some on Shapeways? And why would you have an ultracompact buffer & stock assembly, from what I found it used a regular carbine-length tube & CAR-15 stock?

@Gamma762 you DM'd me about this, I sent some replies but haven't yet heard back from you?

Yes, front cap is from Shapeways. It's not bad. It is a bit loose as far as the hand guards fitting, so I shimmed it a little with heat resistant automotive harness tape. From what I've seen fitment tolerances were variable with La France OG stuff.

Concerning the ultra compact stock setup, I just like the looks and balance of it. I had the parts already on hand, having purchased the cut Colt N1 stock years ago off the EE and never finding a use for it. I feel like La France might have optioned the M16K this way if the UC system/parts had been available. The full carbine stock kind of throws the look off when extended, IMO. This gun was originally intended for two roles, IIRC. One was protection details; following the Reagan assassination attempt, the whole world saw how Uzis were concealed by USSS agents, and Tim had a market opportunity. Second, in SoCal where La France was, motorcycle cops were looking for better firepower options and they needed something for saddle bags, which limited weapon length and as a result, options. The M16K was marketed to them, as well.

Really, in the context of when Tim was building these, aftermarket AR stuff was not common, typically poor quality, and hard to source. His interviews allude to difficulties with finding parts and his guns varied a lot based on this. So if imagining a WWLFD now thing, I think a flattop with pistol-sized RDS, M4 Oval HGs, and a compact stock setup would be about right...kinda like the Colt SCW with a shorter barrel.

Gotcha...yeah it looks rad, I was just wondering since I'm also building a clone of this and of the MARS, and I was familiar with a shortened buffer system being necessary for that, but not this...good resourcefulness on your part though, final product looks gorgeous.

Wish PSA would add the LaFrance to their retro AR pistol line,

They are cool.